World Cancer Day: Popular Nigerians who died of the disease

As the world marks the World Cancer Day today (February 4), the National Cancer Prevention Programme (NCPP) reeled out a frightening figure, saying that no fewer than 80,000 Nigerians die from various forms of cancer annually

Some prominent Nigerians who have died of the non-communicable disease include politicians, celebrities and others.

Former President, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua fell victim of the disease in May 2010 after years of battling that kept him away from his constitutional duties as first governor of Kastina state and then presidency.

Maryam Babangida, wife of former military President Ibrahim Babangida also had her life cut short by the dreaded disease on December 27, 2009. She had to leave behind her Better Life Programme for Rural Women which launched many co-operatives, cottage industries, farms and gardens, shops and markets, women’s centres and social welfare programmes.

Second Republic Senate Leader, Dr. Olusola Saraki, also died of cancer as confirmed by his youngest son, Olaolu, who admitted that political giant of Kwara politics “had been battling with cancer for about five years” before he breath his last on November 14, 2012.

Gani Fawehinmi, popularly called ‘Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM)’, Fawehinmi was an accomplished human and civil rights lawyer, author, publisher, social critic, philanthropist, politician and indeed a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He died on of September 5, 2009, after a prolonged battle with lung cancer. He was 71 years old.

For two years, ace broadcaster, Yinka Craig, who made his name with Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) battled to stay alive until September 23, 2008 when he died at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America. He received treatment for cancer of the immune system.

Yusuf Jibo, former Zonal Director of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), also died of colon cancer on December, 2010.

Sonny Okosun, one of Nigeria’s great musicians, for him, the music stopped playing when he died on May 24, 2008 at 61 in the United States after a prolonged battle with cancer. He had gone to seek medical advice on his deteriorating health.

Clara Oshiomole, the wife of labour leader turned governor, Adam Oshiomole was also said to have died of cancer on December 8, 2010, eleven days to her daughter’s wedding.

Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, a renowned medical doctor who was known for his work as a human rights activist died on February 10, 2006, aged 65, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba Lagos, from complications of lung cancer.